Life really is good

I'm here. I'm still here after 72 years. And I feel a sense of goodness all around me.

Like all of us, anyone with a thinking, feeling existence, is aware of the awfulness that still swirls around our country, and much of the world. But here, in my world, I see lots of kindness. I also see the joy in people's faces when I compliment them and that is the great bliss in my life currently.

A while ago, I was having dinner with my daughter and I noticed a woman at the next table who was truly beautiful. She had quirky short hair, a zebra-striped short shirted dress and was tanned and perfectly made up. She and her young son were having dinner, too. She was mainly intent on him. I was stuck by her presence and comfort in her own skin.

I warned my daughter I was about to speak to her, which concerned her immediately. She's an introvert and my actions often make her uncomfortable, so I try to give her a heads up. I spoke anyway and said, "Excuse me. I just have to say that you are absolutely beautiful."

Her face lit up! She smiled widely (making her even more gorgeous) and said "Thank you, so much." I followed up with "We don't tell each other that enough, I think." And we had a short conversation about the truth of that.

After we left the restaurant I said, "See, I knew she would be okay with it." And I did. I have told a few other people they had some quality that was outstanding, which is really a knee-jerk reaction for me. Usually, I don't think about it, I simply do it. As I've aged, I've done this more and more often.

Some wonderful things come with age.